Another Sunday night out
for the family of four children
and one single mom
to feast on fast food.

And give the lone parent
a solitary night of reprieve
from the daily toil
of work and household chores,
for the brats she loves so much.

A new shirt is her only comfort.
Loose dimes scraped together for the purchase
to make her feel whole and desirable,
only that much closer
to being the woman she once was
or could have been
such a long while ago.

But her hair is still wet
and the kids must be fed.
Their faces are smeared with grime
from God knows where.
You all just had a bath,
she thinks.

“The family combo please.
No cheese on that one.
Can I have kiddie cups?
And how much are the toys?”

She keeps a tight rein
and herds them to a table
where they await anxiously
the number to be called
in order to dive in and devour
all that’s laid before.

Mom savors the fleeting peace
as elbows fly and teeth gnaw.
Reflecting on the week behind,
she girds herself to do it all again.

“Mommie, I love you.”
Pigtails and freckles smile.
“Are you going to eat that?”

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